Vitit Muntarbhorn, the UN’s Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, resigned on Friday in a letter sent to the President of the Human Rights Council. The effective date of the resignation is 31 October 2017.

In the letter, Professor Muntarbhorn explains he has resigned for illness and family reasons. ILGA’s thoughts are immediately with him and his family and we wish him health and support during what is no-doubt a difficult time.

The position of Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity was created by the UN’s Human Rights Council in June 2016. Professor Muntarbhorn was appointed as the first such Independent Expert to this groundbreaking position in September 2016. In his one year of holding the position, Professor Muntarbhorn has finalised two initial reports: presented to the Human Rights Council in June 2017 and to the General Assembly, due to be presented in October 2017.